Input Sensor Electrode Configuration for Curved Display Touch Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display devices with non-flat shapes face challenges in maintaining sensitivity for touch inputs, particularly in corner areas where curvature can reduce detection accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an input sensor with a center area and a corner area, featuring specific electrode configurations, including first and second unit electrodes with unique shapes and arrangements, to ensure equal or greater sensitivity across all areas, including curved edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the display device uses a non-flat shape with curved edges, then the display device achieves modern design aesthetics and compact form factor, but the sensitivity for touch inputs in corner areas is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different electrode configurations to different regions of the sensor layer. The corner area uses a second unit electrode with extended coverage overlapping multiple first areas, while the center area uses standard first unit electrodes. This local differentiation ensures that the curved corner regions maintain adequate electrode coverage and detection sensitivity despite the non-flat shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor layer is segmented into a center area with first sensor parts and a corner area with second sensor parts. The second unit electrode is further divided into multiple parts (first part, second part, third part) that overlap different first areas. This segmentation allows optimized electrode arrangement for each region's specific geometric characteristics.
2Ease of manufacture
If the sensor units in corner areas use standard configurations, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the detection accuracy is reduced due to curvature effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by making the second unit electrode in corner areas have a larger area and different configuration compared to standard first unit electrodes. The second unit electrode overlaps multiple first areas and includes detection electrodes arranged to compensate for curvature-induced sensitivity loss, while maintaining compatibility with the overall manufacturing process.
3Measurement precision
If the electrode area in corner areas is increased, then the sensitivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second unit electrode is segmented into multiple parts (first part, second part, third part) that overlap different first areas. This segmentation allows the electrode to achieve larger effective area and improved sensitivity in corner regions while maintaining a structured, manageable configuration that doesn't excessively complicate the device.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances the display device's ability to detect touch inputs with equal sensitivity in corner areas as in central regions, preventing input errors and maintaining detection accuracy on multi-faceted surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
an input sensor detecting an external input
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a window, a display panel disposed under the window, and an input sensor disposed between the window and the display panel and having a center area and a corner area disposed outside of the center area. The input sensor includes a first sensor part disposed in the center area and a second sensor part disposed in the corner area. The first sensor part includes first unit electrodes. The second sensor part includes a second unit electrode including a first part overlapping a first area and a second part extending from the first part and overlapping a first portion of a second area adjacent to the first area. A third unit electrode overlaps a second portion of the second area. The area of the second unit electrode is equal to or greater than the area of each of the first unit electrodes.